Under de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has organized an event to celebrate the once-banned holiday of Halloween.
This is a significant development for the Land of the Two Holy Mosques as it works to modernize the nation. On Thursday and Friday on Riyadh’s Boulevard, dubbed the “Scary Weekend,” attendees dressed in gory costumes and fancy dress and posed for extensively shared photos on social media. The occasion was organized in the Saudi capital as part of the ongoing Riyadh Season.
ويكند الرعب في #بوليفارد_رياض_سيتي كسر مقاييس الخوف💀، سواء من حضور أو أجواء أو أزياء تنكّرية🧛🏽♂️🔥
احجز تذكرتك الآنhttps://t.co/Ra40CkXmSx#ويكند_الرعب#موسم_الرياض pic.twitter.com/PoqLqiUeJ0— بوليفارد رياض سيتي | BLVD RUH CITY (@BlvdRuhCity) October 28, 2022
However, some Muslim social media users have criticized Saudi Arabia’s religious establishment for having double standards by allowing once-banned non-Muslim festivals while others have accused the kingdom of having “ultra-conservative” celebrations even though Al Mawlid, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), is not allowed.
Celebration of Halloween in Riyad, Saudi Arabia. The GEA of Saudi organized an event called "Horror Weekend", meanwhile celebration of Mawlid is still banned.
Imagine a country that forbids the commemoration of the Prophet ﷺ because it is more evil than celebrating Halloween… pic.twitter.com/gulK99yO8q
— Musa al-Maghribi 🇲🇦 ⵣ | مُوسَى المَغْرِبِي (@Musa_Maliki_) October 29, 2022
Arab News reports that even though Halloween has long been avoided in the Gulf, guests at the gathering hailed the occasion as a harmless form of amusement. One participant who was attending the events for the first time was quoted as stating it was a wonderful party, and there is a joyful atmosphere. He does not know whether it is haram or halal.
Their sole reason for celebrating it is for enjoyment. They hold no particular beliefs. Another person explained that on intentions, actions are taken. He was here just for enjoyment.
The second costume-themed occasion to take place in the city was “Scary Weekend.” On March 17 and 18, this year, Riyadh Boulevard in Riyadh City hosted the largest costume party in Saudi Arabia, the masquerade party. According to a New York Times report, the government-sponsored event was planned to take place right before Halloween, which falls on October 31 each year, to avoid being perceived as formally observing the festival’s pagan origins.
